Yorkshire contractors appointed for Bradford garden centre's £4 million development

Yorkshire contractors have started work on the first phase of a £4 million project to develop an award winning Bradford garden centre.

Leeds based Jennings has been contracted to do the demolition work and East Yorkshire based family business, Ashcourt has been appointed as the main ground workers on the project at Tong Garden Centre that includes a new plant canopy, an indoor play area and an events centre.

Tong's Managing Director, Mark Farnsworth is pleased to have appointed Yorkshire contractors: "In our continued support of, and investment in, the Yorkshire economy, we have appointed Yorkshire tradesmen wherever possible.

"We estimate that £2.5 million of the £4 million investment will be spent with Yorkshire firms, including Jennings, Ashcourt, themechanical and electrical systemscontractors and businesses like Total Flooring that will be involved in the fit out. This can only be good for the regional economy."

Work on the new plant canopy is expected to be completed by April and the indoor play and events centre is scheduled to open in July.

Mr Farnsworth concluded: "We're looking forward to the completion of the first phase of our two year development plan. The new plant canopy will create a fabulous covered outdoor plant area and the indoor soft play will complement the popular Grass Hoppers adventure playground by providing an all-weather play area."

Subsequent developments include a new two storey building and restaurant in May 2020 and the development of the lakeside space to build log cabins for educational and horticultural use in 2021.

Since Mr Farnsworth and his business partner, Tom Megginson acquired Tong Garden Centre in 2015, they have invested over £2 million to improve the centre with a new plant area, the launch of Grass Hoppers adventure playground, a food hall with instore bakery and butchery departments and the creation of a 320 seater restaurant. The business now provides employment for 160 people and it is anticipated that this will rise to over 200 by the time that the first phase of the expansion is completed in July 2019.

Ends

Photo:Ashcourt contractors with Mark Farnsworth, second from right The Ashcourt team with Mark Farnsworth

For more information or to arrange an interview with Mark Farnsworth,please contact Tracey Baty at three60 marketing on:

Direct line:01430 871360

Mobile:07971 961574

E mail:traceybaty@three60marketing.co.uk

Web:www.three60marketing.co.uk

Notes to editors

1.      For more information about Tong Garden Centre, please visitwww.tonggardencentre.co.ukand see the centre'sFacebook,Twitter,Instagramandnewsonline.

2.      Tong Garden Centre is one of the largest independent garden centres in Yorkshire, located near Bradford in West Yorkshire. It occupies a17-acre site near Tong village.Anoutdoor plant department and shopping departments filled with garden furniture, gifts, home accessories and leading brands spread across110,000 square feet of retail space. Also on-site is the Coffee Shop, Orchard Restaurant, children's outdoor adventure playground Grass Hoppers and an extensive food hall and in store butchery and bakery departments.